2010 Team Analysis: Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs:

2009 Record: 83-78

General Manager: Jim Hendry

Manager: Lou Pinella


Organizational Philosophy: In October 2009, Ameritrade founder Jim Ricketts became the majority of owner of both the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field along with a 25% stake in Comcast SportsNet Chicago.  Shortly after the purchase, Ricketts vowed not to be too hands on during the 2010 season but he did lay out plans praising the organizational structure of teams like the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies.  He also promised to build a team focused on player development as well as signing players to a dollar amount dictated more towards a player's predicted value rather than current market value.

It's a philosophy more and more teams are headed towards and one current Cubs Gm Jim Hendry needs to embrace if he wants to direct this team after next season.  Hendry has been the GM since 2002 and despite a few post-season appearances the results have been mixed, at best.  Their payroll has slowly risen towards one of the highest among all MLB clubs and only one of their projected starters will be under 30 and their farm system is at least a few years from producing anyone to get excited about.  I'm expecting another ho-hum performance from the Cubs as players will be signed or retained slightly above value before a new regime comes in and tries to figure out the best ways to salvage this franchise as many expensive contracts are set to expire in 2011 and 2012.

2010 Team Analysis: St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals:

2009 Record: 91-71

General Manager: John Mozeliak

Manager: Tony La Russa


Organizational Philosophy: after the firing of former GM Walt Jocketty many wondered if this would point to the end of Tony La Russa's clout within the organization.  Jocketty and longtime manager La Russa were considered allies and usually one didn't make a decision before getting an okay with the other but the recent hire of Mark McGuire as the hitting instructor does signify that La Russa may have more say than one may think.

Since John Mozeliak was hired after the 2007 season, the Cardinals have become much more dependent on acquiring and cultivating young prospects in order to supplement their roster.  Last season, the team made major moves in order to acquire Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa in order to fill needs in the INF and OF and in the middle of the lineup after Rick Ankiel suffered a major neck injury.  This season may force Mozeliak to either go big for a big free agent or look to sign a short-term option until their battered farm system can regroup and produce prospects that are ready.  My guess is that the team will go for the latter in order to not derail their current (original) philosophy.

2010 Team Analysis: Oakland Athletics

Oakland A’s

2009 Record: 75-87

General Manager: Billy Beane

Manager: Bob Geren


Organizational Philosophy: the key to this offseason is focused on player development with their primary focus on pitching and cultivating high upside positional prospects.  Since Billy Beane has assumed GM duties since 1997, the Athletics have been a team not afraid to remold themselves with shrewd trades, MLB prospects and finding key short-term free agents.

This offseason I expect the Athletics to focus on utilizing their minor league talent pool in various positions while looking to trade certain valuable pieces all with an eye to be contenders in the AL West by 2012.

Roy Halladay Trade Scenarios

After Day 3 of the Winter Meetings it's been reported that the Angels made an official offer for Roy Halladay.  The purported deal would send LHP Joe Saunders, SS Erick Aybar, and top OF prospect Peter Bourjos to the Blue Jays for the highly sought after RHP.

Looking at the financials behind this deal, Saunders will be under team control until after the 2012 season and is set to make $475K and is eligible for salary arbitration.  Aybar is also under team control until after the 2012 season and is set to receive $460K and is also eligible for salary arbitration.  Peter Bourjos will be 23 years old at the start of next season and has yet to use his MLB service time. Halladay, on the other hand, is set to receive $15.75M and is eligible for free agency after this season.

My initial impression of this trade is that it seems fair but it lacks that multiple upside a team needs to cite this trade as a major turning point in one's franchise.  Don't get me wrong, I like Bourjos a lot and I think he'll be ready to contribute as a quality leadoff hitter in 2011 and could be the missing key in a solid young nucleus of Adam Lind in RF and Travis Snider in LF.  However, Vernon Wells' contract does pose a block to any young OF coming up since all three spots seem to be locked up until 2013 at the earliest. 

2010 Team Analysis: Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners:

2009 Record: 85-77

General Manager: Jack Zduriencik

 Manager: Don Wakamatsu


Organizational Philosophy: The Mariners have one of the better front offices in baseball led by Jack Zduriencik who made his name scouting and acquiring much of the young talent now leading the Milwaukee Brewers. The M’s did well this season diversifying their roster which focused on cheap defensive-minded talent while stockpiling on young pitching.

This team is very aggressive in moving its young prospects through the ranks.  So far the results have been less than spectacular on that front but with another year of Jack Z. weighing in on the team's draft picks things should look up very soon.

2010 Rule 5 Draft preview

Looking over tomorrow's scheduled Rule 5 draft, I felt it would be wise to preview a few of the favorite players the early teams scheduled are scheduled to choose from.

The Yankees, through their trade of relief pitcher Brian Bruney a few days ago to the Nationals, are set to receive the first pick in the 2010 Rule 5 Draft.  A lot of speculation has them trading this pick after its selection based on their prior history of not taking the Rule 5 too seriously.  I'm guessing that the Yankees will select (or have Washington select the Yankees perferred choice) and keep him. Lots of speculation has the Yankees grabbing a high ceiling arm like Aneury Rodriguez or Edgar Osuna but my guess is that they may go after an MLB ready bullpen arm or a AAA outfielder to shore up depth.

The Pirates are then scheduled to pick second followed by Orioles, Royals, and Indians rounding out the top five.

Notable players after the jump:

2010 Team Analysis: Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers:

2009 Record: 87-75

General Manager: Jon Daniels

Manager: Ron Washington


Organizational Philosophy: Club President Nolan Ryan seems to have taken the reigns, at least on a public level, and is not shy in making statements to the media about everything from payrolls to pitch counts. Ryan expects the 2010 payroll to stay roughly the same from its ’09 season $68M. They also have an unsettled ownership situation which definitely factors in their finances, so don’t expect them to sign any long term free agents this offseason.

This offseason the Rangers will strongly adhere to a more streamlined approach as the front office looks to improve their communication into a single thinking organism focused on scouting and player development rather than free agent acquisitions.